Here’s exactly what I take with me on Bhutan tours.
“What should I pack"?” I get asked this question more for Bhutan than any other tour. In reality I don’t pack all that different to tours anywhere, as I always pack for all weather conditions for almost everywhere I travel (excluding the tropics). The main difference with Bhutan is that it is located in the Himalayas and the weather extremes can be a little more pronounced than in, say, Italy in the autumn. It is quite possible to be cycling in shorts and short sleeves riding up to a pass only to have cold and fog for the downhill into the next valley.
So here is everything I pack for my tours in Bhutan as well as how I manage my clothes. Note: I have spent many years living out of a backpack and have my system down to quite a minimum and I use a fairly small suitcase. So while I know this won’t work for everyone, and I am ‘man’ packing, it should give you a starting point that you can adapt to suit yourself. Also, I should add, I feel the cold, particularly when I’m wet so I have invested in waterproof gear for my entire body. If you don’t feel the cold you might not need this like I do.
Clothes
Cycling
Cycle jerseys - 2 x short sleeve synthetic jerseys. I could get by with one as I wash it out every evening after the ride.
Cycle shorts - 2 x cycling knicks. I have one pair of Mons Royale merino knicks and one standard synthetic pair. I pretty much wear the merino ones everyday and wash them out each evening.
Sleeves - I carry a pair of sleeves that I wear when it’s warm and sunny to keep the sun off.
Cycling Overshorts - I have always preferred a more casual look when travelling by bike so I wear loose overshorts over my knicks.
Long Sleeve Merino Top - My second layer on the bike is an IO Merino long sleeve running top. It doesn’t have pockets like a cycling jersey but there is a front zip and thumb holes so it makes for a great second layer. In Bhutan it is generally cooler so I am usually always wearing this.
Windproof Top - When it’s cool but not cold enough to wear my waterproof jacket I have a very light weight windproof top made by Montane. This is not a cycling top. I don’t think Montane make these anymore but I know other brands including cycling specialists are making these. They are tiny and fit easily in your packet but easily keep the wind off.
Long Pants - For cold weather and on the long downhills I wear windproof tracksuit pants. These are just regular New Balance synthentic tracksuit pants that I also wear for tennis. So they are a little flappy around the lower leg and one day I might get some proper cycling ones.
Hat - to wear under my helmet on sunny days. I just have a cheap Kmart hat that is made of thin fabric so it fits nicely under my helmet.
Gloves - For Bhutan I carry two pairs of gloves: 1. regular winter gloves to keep my hands a bit warmer on cold mornings; 2. insulated and waterproof gloves that I put on for the big descents from the mountain passes. My hands get very cold and these gloves work well to keep my hands from freezing.
Rain Jacket - I have a Montane Minimus Light jacket that I have been very happy with. I use it for both cycling and hiking and it has kept me dry in plenty of rainy days. The jacket is light weight and folds down quite small. I bought mine from Backpacking Light in Melbourne.
Rain Pants - Some people don’t bother with rain pants but if I get wet I get very cold. Plus in Bhutan you might be faced with a long descent (the longest is 40km) in the rain where you do also no pedalling so getting cold is a real possibility. Like my jacket I have a Montane product, the Minimus Nano waterproof pants. These pants pack down tiny enough to fit in your pocket and definitely keep you dry. Again, I bought mine from Backpacking Light in Melbourne.
Shoes - I just wear my trail running shoes. They allow me to walk around easily while off the bike and have a good grip on the pedals when cycling. If they get wet they dry quite quickly. I exclusively wear Altra shoes now because they have a wider toe box - I find almost all other brands of shoe too narrow. If you prefer clip pedals you’ll need to bring your own and we’ll fit these to the bike.
Socks - 2 x pairs for cycling + 1x waterproof pair. My cycling socks are thin and easy to wash out overnight. If it’s a rainy day I wear my Sealskinz waterproof socks. Wearing these with waterproof overpants keeps my feet dry even in all day rain.
Buff/Bandana - I wear one under my helmet on cold days and if very sunny it can go around my neck to keep the sun off.
Sunglasses
Off Bike
Merino Shirts - 3 x merino tshirts/polo shirts.
Merino Long Sleeve Top - One long sleeve mid weight merino top.
Puff Jacket - There are hundreds of these on the market now. I have a Patagonia Nano Puff which I also use hiking as it’s very light but still very warm.
Trousers - 2 x long trousers.
Shorts - 1 x shorts, just in case it’s warm in Punakha.
Underwear - 3 x synthetic quick dry undies. I wash out my undies every evening and they dry overnight.
Socks - 3 x pairs merino socks. Don’t think badly of me but since I only wear them in the evenings after a ride I can get quite a few days out of one pair of socks.
Sandals - I am a dedicated Keen sandal wearer. I have owned only 3 pairs in the last 20 years. They are comfortable, last well and I can do almost anything in them. If the weather is warm enough I cycle in them, but that’s a rare day in Bhutan.
Beanie (Wooly Hat) - On none cycling activities I usually use a beanie rather than a buff.
Notes
You will notice that I use a lot of Merino products. For me they are the perfect travelling clothes. They don’t get smelly and can be worn for many more days than other clothes. For a two week tour I find 3 shirts are enough to get me through as I wear my cycling clothes during the day and these shirts are mostly only being worn in the evenings and rest days can be laundry days if needed. Some of my merino items are a blend with synthetic fibres. These seem to work just as well as 100% merino but don’t wear out as fast.
I have a washing routine each evening, washing my cycling clothes and underwear in the shower and wringing them out in a towel to squeeze out as much water as possible. Doing the towel squeeze ensures that all my clothes are clean, dry, and ready to wear again the next morning.
Travel Items
Passport - Valid for at least 6 months
Cash - easiest in Bhutan is to carry your local currency and change this at the airport. Keep the receipt and when you are flying out you can change back any left over Ngultrum back to your home currency.
Credit/debit cards - there are some ATMs in Bhutan but along in the largest towns and quite reliable. You generally can’t use credit card for much - it’s pretty much a cash economy.
Day pack - for day walks for if you like cycling with one.
Phone - I buy a local SIM at the airport on arrival that covers me for phone and internet throughout the trip. The hotels and many restaurants have wifi so if you don’t feel you need to be online during the day you don’t need a SIM.
Electrical Plug - I have a single plug with 3 USB ports that covers all my recharging needs.
Battery Bank - just in case there’s a power outage or for some reason I run my phone battery down during the day.
Toiletries - all the basics which which I won’t list as this can be quite different for everyone.
First Aid Kit - I carry a large first kit as well as a small personal one, p;us there is a first aid kit on the support vehicle. I suggest you carry your own small kit for medications and small cuts, scratches, etc, in case you are not near me or a vehicle.
Electrolytes - I often get a bit dehydrated so I carry a packet of effervescent tablets and usually have one once in the hotel room after a day of riding.
Other Cycling Grear
Helmet - Bring your own.
Water Bottle - Bring your own. One is enough as we have regular stops for refilling.
Handlebar bag and Saddle Bag - I carry more items that you will (eg. large first aid kit) so I have two bags on my bike. I also like to carry all my waterproofs with my incase there is a sudden change in weather. Most people just put extra clothes on the vehicle and adjust their clothing through the day. We have a selection of small handlebar bags and saddle bags for use for you so you don’t need to bring your own unless you want to carry large items on the bike.
Pedals - I don’t bring my own pedals as I right on flats. If you want to use clip pedals, bring them along and we will fit them to your bike.